Shane Worrall assessed for home detention after police seized cannabis plants, firearms
The Lake Macquarie dad was on bail for fundraising fraud when police discovered more than 30 cannabis plants, firearms, knuckle-dusters, a taser and ammunition at his Boolaroo home.
Newcastle
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A Lake Macquarie man, who found it was cheaper to start growing marijuana at home, so he could make his own cannabis oil for medicinal purposes, will be assessed for home detention.
Shane James Worrall, 37, was addicted to opioids after having major surgery, and after finding out about the benefits of cannabis oil, he started taking it for pain, a court heard.
But after a while, Worrall found it financially straining and instead decided to grow his own plants.
The only thing was, he was on bail for other offences relating to defrauding a fundraising scheme set up to help drought-stricken farmers.
Police allege Worrall misappropriated funds from a donation appeal, Fill a Truck for Farmers.
And when police went to slap a firearms prohibition order on him on May 23 last year, they not only uncovered cannabis plants but also firearms and weapons, the court heard.
During the search of his Boolaroo home, police discovered a hydroponic set-up, with 34 cannabis plants and almost two kilograms of cannabis leaf.
They also seized three prohibited firearms and several prohibited weapons including a taser, knuckle duster, ammunition and blow darts. He was arrested and charged.
In Newcastle District Court on Tuesday, Worrall gave evidence that the cannabis he grew was only to make cannabis oil for himself, or to give it to people who needed it for health reasons.
“I was in no mind to make money off it,” Worrall said.
When asked about the various firearms and weapons, Worrall said he had bought ornamental blow darts while on holiday.
“I purchased them off a person in bali on the beach, he had lots to sell, I did declare that through customs and they accepted it,” he told the court.
“It was just a novelty, I never had an intention of hurting anyone. I bought it because I got hassled so much, they sat in the garage.”
Worrall also explained the knuckle-dusters were a novelty on a keyring that he bought online and gel guns were toy guns that “had less trajectory than his son’s nerf gun”.
He said a single shot pistol was also originally stored in a shipping container in his backyard for a company he used to work for and he had no idea they were illegal.
But told the court he was sorry for his mistakes.
“I’ve seen the impact on my wife and children and it’s been devastating,” he said.
“I spent a month in custody while my wife was a high risk pregnancy.
“I’ve learnt a lot from this experience and I don’t want to put anyone in this position anymore.”
Worrall pleaded guilty in the local court to charges of possess or use prohibited weapon without permit, enhanced indoor cultivate cannabis for commercial purposes, possess unauthorised prohibited firearm and supply cannabis.
On sentencing, Judge Roy Ellis said there was no evidence the firearms and weapons were going to be used for illegal purposes and there was no “tick” list of items indicating he intended to supply the cannabis.
“He has accepted responsibility for his actions,” he said.
Judge Ellis said a two and a half year intensive corrections order (ICO) was suitable, but also as a condition, wanted him assessed for home detention for a 12 month period of that.
Worrall will come back to court in October for the result of that assessment.